Lost my Grandfather today

[C. Harlan]

It's been a rough weekend... My GF of 3 years lost her Aunt on Thursday, who passed away from a long battle with cancer... We did the Rosary Friday, and the Funeral yesterday, which was pretty rough, and I also had a family reunion to attend... Too many places to be at!!! Well, Friday morning, my mom called me telling me that my Grandpa was on the way to the hospital with chest pains, and short breaths. . We went up there friday evening and stayed till 1AM Saturday... His intestines had twisted, and had created a large gastric bubble, which was pushing up on his diaphragm, causing shortness of breath. . They operated on Friday, removing and untwisting his bad spots, hoping this would work. . Luckily Mom works at the hospital which he was at, so she was able to go from the ER up to the ICU to be with him, so I felt at ease. . She worked last night in the ER, checking on him throughout the night, and all was ok. . I talked to her this morning and she told me that he was going to go in again so they could see if the intestines had healed or not, and to see if all was good or not... Well, it was not good, and we decided to put him on "Comfort Care" which was basically remove all life support, and a morphine drip so he would not feel any pain. . He was awake before he went into surgery, and we all made sure we told him that we loved him, and reassuring him that all was ok... When he came out, he was still sedated from the anasthetic, and they began to remove everything, and administer the morphine, slowly bringing his heart rate down. . We were fortunate to have one of the chaplains in the room, who had just finished saying a prayer, when at 3:52 p. m. he calmly, gently slipped away. I am sad, of course, but also happy knowing that he is in peace, and not in pain anymore. I am trying to hold strong for my mom, but it's super hard. I have never met my father, so he was the only father figure I really had to look up to. .



I will say, that being at his side, holding his hand, watching the monitor, seeing his last heartbeat on the monitor and knowing that he was finally home, not suffering from all the pain, as well as re-united with all our lost relatives was surreal. Knowing he was here one minute with me, knowing I was next to him, and the next minute he was up in Heaven with Jesus Christ. . It is not something I would say you need to experience, but having the opportunity of being with a loved one, and holding their hand when they get called up to serve is one like nothing else.



Sorry, had to get this off my chest.



-Chris-

 

[MMeier]

Hang in there Chris. He is in a much better place now, along with your GF's aunt. Need anything, don't be afraid to call !

 

[ACoyle]

I am very sorry to hear of your losses. I will pray for your GF's aunt and your Grampa. Loss of someone close is hard.

AC

 

[Dieselnut59]

My grandfather (mom's dad) was my father figure in place of the father I never had. I carry him with me everyday, as he was the one who got me interested in diesel power (had 3 1950's diesel Oliver tractors), electrical, mechanical and agricultural work. All are a huge part of my life now. Since he was your father figure, I am sure his memories will be with you through your life experiences also. God bless people like that.

 

[C. Harlan]

Thank y'all for all the support. . It really means alot!



Today, Mom and I were at his room, at the retirement community which he resided at, and were going through papers and such... I found a Bible his mother and father had given him in 1946, as well as a new one sitting next to it. . When I opened it, there were 2 pictures. . One was of him sitting on the couch at Grandma's house on Christmas this past year... When I moved it, it was a pic of him with my GF on one side, and myself, accompanied with her little weenie dog on his lap... Very moving knowing where he kept my picture, and it makes me feel alot better knowing that I was holding his hand at that special moment Sunday.



Mom is doing better, although she has her moments throughout the day, just like the rest of us, but I am hanging out, and staying at her house this week, so she is not here alone. . I am very fortunate to have a great family, as well as a great second family of people on here (TDR). . Thanks for all the support!



-Chris-